Providing Innovative Solutions to Creative Precast Designs

Architectural Precast Concrete, Thinshell, and GFRC - Willis Construction Co, Inc.

Architectural Precast

Typical Precast Panel Section

Typical Precast Panel Section

Architectural Precast

Precast is a solid Concrete Panel System. The panel thickness and weight is determined by the project design requirements.

Panel Description

Architectural Precast is durable, provides moisture protection, and aesthetic versatility. Willis Construction is proud to have contributed our expert engineering design and craftsmanship to many highly recognizable California projects. Over the years, many design applications have been refined and developed to offer designers many choices when it comes to designing with Architectural Precast. Panel thickness is based upon design needs of the project and are cast with a custom color chosen by the Architect. Panels are normally given a light, medium, or heavy sandblast finish. Utilizing both light and heavy sandblast finishes in the same project is a commonly used design option to achieve two colors. Architectural Precast may also be cast with natural stone veneers, such as granite or limestone. Mechanical fasteners are anchored into the back side of the stone, prior to concrete being poured over the stone. Thin brick can be cast into the face of precast by securing the brick in a rubber form liner prior to pouring concrete. The rubber liner secures the brick during the pour process and creates a racked joint finish when the panel is stripped. Stone veneer and Thin Brick precast take advantage of the speed with which precast can be installed and the superior water-tight barrier that precast panels provide. Another option is to make a custom form liner that can make precast emulate other building materials, including, but not limited to wood, limestone, brick, cast stone, or a unique form shape that the Architect has designed specifically for a project. Casting Architectural Precast starts with a precisely leveled casting surface. The perimeter forms of the panel are set, and any designed depressions desired in the panel face, such as reveals, are secured to the panel form. The edge of all form parts are sealed with silicone before installing the reinforcing steel, connection embedment's, and the stripping and erection inserts. Once the panel has been inspected, the custom mix is then poured into the form. Concrete vibrators assist in consolidating the concrete to its final design thickness. The following morning each panel is stripped from its form and receives it's approved sandblast finish. Before finalizing the design of your next project, contact Willis Construction's Design Build team to take full advantage of the many design options of Architectural Precast.

Architectural Design Options

Architectural Precast mix designs come in a wide range of colors and textures. There are no standard colors. All mix designs are custom made to the designer's choice of color and sandblasted finish. Light sandblasted finishes leave the matrix color in place and the surface fairly smooth. A heavy sandblasted finish will expose the aggregate in the mix to create a completely different look. Utilizing Light and Heavy sandblasted finishes in the same panel, or project, is a common design option. Custom Form liners can make the surface of Precast simulate other natural materials such as Brick, Wood, or Stone. Adhering Thin Brick, Limestone, and Granite veneers to the face of Architectural Precast is also an option.

Contact Willis Construction to discuss your project's specific design.



Architectural Precast Projects

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Layton Temple

Layton, UT

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
Naylor Wentworth Lund

General Contractor:
Wadman Construction

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1550 Mission Street Housing

San Francisco, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
SOM / HKS

General Contractor:
Build Group

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Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Los Angeles, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
Renzo Piano Building Workshop/Gensler

General Contractor:
Matt Construction

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Yolo County Superior Courthouse

Woodland, CA

Architectural Precast and Granite on Precast back-up
Full Project Description

Architect:
Fentress Architects

General Contractor:
Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

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Santa Clara Family Justice Center

San Jose, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
ZGF Architects

General Contractor:
Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

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Stockton Courthouse

Stockton, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
NBBJ Architects

General Contractor:
Turner Construction

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Central Place

San Jose, CA

Architectural Precast with light sandblast

Architect:
SB Architects

General Contractor:
Webcor Builders

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UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay

San Francisco, CA

Architectural Precast

Full Project Description

Architect:
Stantech

General Contractor:
DPR Construction Co.

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510 Townsend

San Francisco, CA

Thin Brick on Precast Back-Up


Architect:
Studios Architecture

General Contractor:
DPR Construction

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Capitol Area East End Complex Buildings 171-174, 225

Sacramento, CA

Architectural Precast with simulated Brick form liner

Architect:
Gruen Associates / Fentress Architects

General Contractor:
Clark Construction / Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

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Reno Federal Courthouse

Reno, NV

Architectural Precast with heavy sandblast

Architect:
Cazzaza, Peetz & Mickey

General Contractor:
Kajima Construction

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Christopher High School

Gilroy, CA

Architectural Precast with multiple colors, form liner for sill panels with post applied stain

Full Project Description

Architect:
BCA Architects

General Contractor:
Gilbane Inc.

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GAP Headquarters

San Francisco, CA

Thin Brick on Precast Back-up, Limestone with Precast Back-up, and GFRC at Tower       

Architect:
Gensler

General Contractor:
Swinerton Builders

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Dr. Martin Luther King Library

San Jose, CA

Architectural Precast with light and heavy sandblast

Architect:
Carrier Johnson

General Contractor:
Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

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Chiron Life Sciences

Emeryville, CA

Thin Brick on Precast Back-up and custom board form liner for Precast at base.

Full Project Description

Architect:
Ricardo Legorreta Architectos

General Contractor:
Clark Construction

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Cliff Deck Parking

Roseville, CA

Architectural Precast with light sandblast

Architect:
Walker Parking Consultants / Stantech

General Contractor:
Overaa Construction

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UC Davis Emergency and Trauma Center

Palo Alto, CA

Architectural Precast with heavy sandblast

Architect:
Gordon A. Chong & Partners

General Contractor:
Swinerton Builders

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Latter Day Saints Tijuana Temple

Tijuana, MX

Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete and Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
CRSA

General Contractor:
Haskell

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1001 Van Ness

San Francisco, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
Handel Architects

General Contractor:
Related

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1021 O Street State Office Building

Sacramento, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
HOK / Dreyfuss + Blackford

General Contractor:
Hensel Phelps Construction Co.

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50 Jones Street

San Francisco, CA

Architectural Precast
Full Project Description

Architect:
Solomon Cordwell Buenz

General Contractor:
Swinerton Builders

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Oracle Park

HOME OF THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
San Francisco, CA

Thin Brick on Precast back-up System; Architectural Precast window sills, caps and trim.

Full Project Description

Architect:
HOK Sports

General Contractor:
Huber Hunt & Nichols / Kajima JV

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Feather River Temple

Yuba City, CA

Architectural Precast and GFRC
Full Project Description

Architect:
The Richard Design Partnership

General Contractor:
Okland

Willis Construction has been providing Architectural Precast Concrete building panels and products for the construction industry since 1979. Willis Construction is dedicated to providing Owners, Architects, and General Contractors with the design and engineering expertise necessary to meet the building challenges of today and the future. The quality, durability, and long life of Architectural Precast Concrete, Thinshell, and GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) systems provide a wide range of design options for virtually every type of building. Contact us to decide which system would be best suited for your next project.

Noteworthy Precast Projects

Broad Museum

Broad Museum

Los Angeles, CA
  • GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete)
  • 2015 PCI National Award Winner
Hollywood Park Office

Hollywood Park Office

Inglewood, CA
  • Pre-Glazed GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete)
  • 2022 PCI National Award Winner
1550 Mission Street Housing

1550 Mission Street Housing

San Francisco, CA
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Los Angeles, CA

Projects in Progress

921 Howard Street

921 Howard Street

San Francisco, CA
  • Thinshell Precast
IQHQ Building 48

IQHQ Building 48

San Diego, CA
  • Architectural Precast and Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Tasman Coterie

Tasman Coterie

Santa Clara, CA
  • Pre Glazed Architectural Precast
USGS NASA Ames

USGS NASA Ames

Mountain View, CA
  • GFRC (Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete) and Architectural Precast

* PCI Certification confirms that a manufacturing plant has an ongoing quality assurance system in place. PCI Certification requires that the plant must consistently demonstrate their commitment to quality principles and procedures. A 120 point audit examines all aspects of plant operation including engineering practices and management commitment.

PCI Certified